SATO GT 424e, GT408, GT 410 manual Media Selection, Media & Ribbon Loading

Unit 3: Installation

MEDIA SELECTION

The size and type of the labels or tags to be printed should have been taken into consideration before printer purchase. Ideally, the media width will be equal to, or just narrower than, the print head. Using media that does not cover the print head will allow the platen roller to tread on it and wear it out. The media edge will also wear a groove in the platen roller affecting print quality.

MEDIA & RIBBON LOADING

There are two general media types that may be loaded and used; rolled and fan-folded. Each of those types may again be defined by whether their print application is direct thermal or thermal transfer. Those factors determine how the media is loaded and if ribbon stock is loaded at all.

Thermal transfer media requires the use of ribbon stock for print application. In such a scenario, it is the ribbon stock (carbon paper) that contains the ink that will be transfered to the media.

Direct thermal media has the ink embedded within and is brought to the surface through heat penetration by print head contact.

Rolled media of standard diameter is loaded within the printer and suspended by the media holder. Larger, non-standard rolled media would be suspended outside the printer at its rear and fed inward. Fan-folded media would also be fed inward from the rear but is stacked as opposed to suspended.

Refer to Figures 3-3a and 3-3b for proper media routing relative to the type to be used. If that to be used is direct thermal, ignore the ribbon stock in the figures and do not load that.

Print Assembly

Media Ramp

Ribbon Roll Media Holder Media Guide Media

Label Damper

Figure 3-3a, Rolled Media & Ribbon Loading

SATO GT4xxe Series Operator Manual PN 9001138A Page 3-4